Born in Greenville, he was the son of the late Johnny Arthur and Mary Frances Farmer Bagwell.

Mr. Bagwell was employed with Crucible Chemical Company and was a member of Westville Church of God of Prophecy.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a daughter, Wanda Ann Bagwell Ray of Pickens; a son, Ray E. Bagwell of Greenville; a brother, Charles Marvin Bagwell of Greenville; and two grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 10, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown with the funeral service following at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, West.

Born in Pickens County, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Pace Hayes. She was widowed by Noah L. Bagwell. Mrs. Bagwell was a charter member and the oldest member of Covenant Baptist Church.

Surviving are a son and daughter-in- law, L. Willard and Nelle Bagwell of Greenville; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. James (Lib) Bagwell of Greenville; a sister, Mrs. Marie H. Porter of Pickens; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by three sons, Gilbert Bagwell, James Hagwell, and Alvin Bagwell.

Gerald “Dr. B” Bagwell

Gerald “Dr. B” Bagwell was born on 20 February 1936 in Buford Community, Randolph County, Georgia. He was the son of Cecil E. Bagwell and Annie Ola Roberts. Gerald “Dr. B” Bagwell married Betty Tanner on 2 September 1955. Gerald “Dr. B” Bagwell died on 11 September 2017 at age 81 Gerald Bagwell, 81, of Lakeland, FL passed away on September 11, 2017 at the Florida Presbyterian Homes in Lakeland, FL. 'Dr. B.' was greatly loved and will be missed by his family and friends. His public ministry extended over fifty years. Gerald was born on February 20th, 1936 in Buford, GA, to Cecil and Ola Roberts Bagwell. On September 2, 1955, he married Betty Tanner of Auburn, GA. Gerald was Ordained to Ministry within the Southern Baptist Convention in 1961. With Betty by his side, Gerald earned four professional degrees: Bachelor of Science, Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, 1963; Master of Divinity, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC, 1966; Master of Theology, Luther Rice Seminary, Jacksonville, FL, 1968; and Doctorate of Theology, Luther Rice Seminary, Jacksonville, FL, 1969. Gerald began his ministry as Pastor of Fairfield Baptist Church, Clarksville, GA followed by: Hollywood Baptist Church, Hollywood, GA; Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Zebulon, NC; First Baptist Church, Loganville, GA; First Baptist Church, Waynesboro, GA; Mountain Park First Baptist Church, Stone Mountain, GA; First Baptist Church, Lakeland, FL; Bethany Baptist Church, Snellville, GA; Celebration Baptist Worship Center, Lakeland, FL; and First Baptist Church, Mulberry, FL. At the time of his passing, he was Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church at the Mall, Lakeland, FL. In addition to pastoring, 'Dr. B.' served on the faculty of Ridgecrest Conference Center for four years and was honored to teach 'Church Growth' seminars throughout the country as well as in Seoul, S. Korea. He was active in the Southern Baptist Convention and the Florida Baptist Convention. His passion for ministering to young pastors led to his recognition and reputation as being a 'Pastor to Pastors.' Gerald will also be remembered for his motivational radio program, 'Someone Cares' aired on WONN Radio, Lakeland, FL, as well as his many newspaper columns spanning decades. Gerald was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Betty Tanner Bagwell, his father and mother, Cecil and Ola Roberts Bagwell of Winder, GA, and his sister, Ruth Ensley, formerly of Lakeland, FL. He is survived by his sons: Greg (Laura), Jeff (Colette), and Phil (Beth); as well as four grandchildren: Ryan (Taylor), Britton, Lindsey, and Bryce; and two great-grandchildren: Tanner and Vinley. Services will be held at the First Baptist Church at the Mall, Lakeland, FL on Thursday, September 21st at 11:00 am.